This weekend, Tsz To Wong (DMA ’23) performs as substitute cellist with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Established in 1912 and currently led by Music Director Robert Spano, the FWSO is deeply committed to uniting its community through performance, education, and outreach, reaching an audience of more than 200,000 annually. As the principal resident company of the acoustically superb Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, the Orchestra performs a full season of concerts featuring internationally acclaimed guest artists and works by living composers. The Orchestra performs and partners with the Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, The Cliburn, and Performing Arts Fort Worth. Each summer at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the FWSO presents Concerts In The Garden, a series of family-friendly concerts that have become a city-wide tradition. The FWSO keeps exceptional musical experiences at the heart of its community.
Congratulations, Tsz To!
Next Wednesday, March 15, the SXSW Official ATX Composers Showcase returns! Brought to you by Golden Hornet and KMFA Classical 89.5, the official SXSW event presents an array of local new music artists and contemporary classical talent during the height of the city-wide festival.
Do you struggle to keep up during lessons or rehearsals? Do you work without a private teacher? Do you wish you could practice more or better? Kyklos with Dr K may be right for you!
Austin Camerata (with Daniel Kopp, MM ’18) and Ventana Ballet join forces this weekend for “Variations on a Love Theme,” an evening of love stories shared through music and dance, featuring musical works by Debussy, Piazzolla, Radiohead, and more, with two shows per night (Show 1 – 6pm doors, 6:30pm show; Show 2 – 8pm doors, 8:30pm show) on Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, at the First Street Studio Theater. Complimentary parking is available onsite, and refreshments will be provided. Each show lasts approximately 1 hour. For more ticket, venue and more information, visit 
Dylan Rieck (MM ’09) has composed a new sonata for cello and piano! You can hear Dylan’s “Sonata No. 1 in C minor” on YouTube at:
Tsz To Wong (DMA ’23) joins Kelvin Ka Long Lee (MM ’19, AD ’22) as two of only eight cellists invited to the live final round of the Section Cello auditions of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Established in 1947 and currently led by Music Director Jaap van Zweden, the HK Phil is recognised as Asia’s foremost classical orchestra, presenting more than 150 concerts per season over a 44-week season, the HK Phil attracts more than 200,000 music lovers annually. In 2019 the HK Phil received the prestigious Gramophone Orchestra of the Year Award—the first orchestra in Asia to receive this distinction.
Next Sunday, January 29, at 3pm EST, Jonathan Dexter (MM ’05) gives the US premiere performance of Fazil Say’s Concerto for Cello and Orchestra “Never Give Up” with conductor Yanniv Attar and the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra. Jonathan has been featured in recordings and performances with multiple grammy award winning artists and producers in classical, rock, pop, and country music. Performance highlights include appearances on the Jimmy Fallon Show, The View, VH1, Billboard Music Online, Fox and Friends, and Rachel Ray. In 2022, Jonathan was a featured cellist with the Lorelei Ensemble, the Boston-based chamber-choir, in their recording Antigone, available from New Focus Recordings. Gramophone Magazine reviewed the recording, “Stunning precision of harmony, intonation, and… spectacular virtuosity.” In 2015, Jonathan was the cellist in the recording Irving Berlin: This is the Life with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, produced by three-time Grammy award winner for Best Classical Music Producer Judith Sherman. Working from his home studio, Jon records strings for projects around the world. Customers have ranged from SONY Masterworks, Columbia Records, Castlerock Entertainment and multiple classical labels. Jon contributed strings produced in his home-studio for the 2011-2013 seasons of Steven Spielberg’s TV series Smash on NBC. Jon also composed, performed, and recorded the original score to short film Recess, an official selection at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Recently and more locally, Jon has been engineering audio recordings for PennState faculty. Jonathan joined the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra in 2012 as its Principal Cellist; the same year he moved to State College with his wife, flutist, Naomi Seidman. As the Jano Duo, Jon and Naomi have performed around the country for over a decade and are headed to Bangkok in April to perform at the Thailand Flute Festival 2023.
Longhorn Cellos 